Cell phone/personal digital assistant built into handbag

ABSTRACT

A handbag for housing a cell phone/Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and containing a compartment for personal items is disclosed. The housing provisions include circuitry between inner lining and outer shell of handbag interconnecting various compartments therewithin, including backup battery compartment and a touch-operated screen (operable from the exterior). The handbag also has modular outlets to physically connect and integrate the cell phone/PDA system and an antenna to facilitate wireless connection.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/351,052 filed on Jan. 27, 2003, the contents of which are specifically incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the common cell phone/Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and its accessories that are combined with and are incorporated into a handbag.

2. Background of the Prior Art

Significant advancements have been made for the cell phone with respect to miniaturization. While a less bulky cell phone unit has the advantage of being easier to store and carry, it is not necessarily easier to use. Currently, cell phones as well as PDA's are stored loosely in handbags or in compartments fashioned from the inner lining. The size reduction of the contemporary cell phone results in the difficulty and awkwardness in accessing a ringing phone within a cluttered handbag in a timely fashion. Outside the handbag, the cell phone becomes even harder to locate.

Holding a cell phone while conversing encumbers one hand and distracts the user from performing other tasks. A headphone attachment successfully resolves this drawback as well as the concern radiation but does so at the expense of miniaturization, ease of handling and storability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention incorporates the cell phone as well as its accessories as part of the handbag. The handbag thereby stores the cell phone and its accessories in a convenient manner as well as organizes the various components unobtrusively.

OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a convenient means of carrying a cell phone/PDA and related accessories while walking and traveling.

It is another object of the present invention to utilize the space and structure of a handbag to hold a cell phone and integrate it together with its components as well as its accessories.

It is yet another object of the present invention to facilitate the safe and convenient use of a cell phone while walking and traveling.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide the user with a new style of fashion as well as technology.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are realized by the present invention by means of electrical circuits, embedded within the structure of the handbag, that connect the various components of the cell phone to each other. These circuits link the handset that is stored in a compartment within the handbag to a touch screen that is part of the exterior of the handbag at a location that the user can comfortably view. A third major component is the speaker headset that is connected to the system by means or wire or wireless transmission by a antenna affixed to the handbag.

Such an arrangement affords the advantages of a miniaturized cell phone in that it utilizes space that is already available. It also provides for the advantages of a larger unit by providing a larger screen, allowing for more functions to be displayed at one time. Other advantages include a larger dialing area, a means for faster locating cell phone and a longer battery life between charging and recharging.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention that refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cell phone/personal digital assistant built into a handbag of this invention showing the exterior of the handbag with a touch-operated, display screen affixed to the outer shell thereof, and, in dashed lines, a compartment with a speaker-headset and a stylus therewithin;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 1 showing in dashed lines a pouch holding the cell phone unit, a connector strip for accessories, and a backup battery pack;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 1 showing an antenna for aiding wireless communication and, in dashed lines, a user wearing the speaker-headset accessing data through the touch-operated, display screen;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the invention of FIG. 1 showing the interconnection of system components with the touch-operated, display screen;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the invention of FIG. 1 showing the interconnection of system components with the equipment compartment and the backup battery pack;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a handbag of the invention in accordance with the further embodiment thereof;

FIG. 7 illustrates a handbag with an electronic device holder coupled thereto;

FIG. 8 shows an attaching mechanism for the telephone holder and handbag of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a handbag of the invention in accordance with a further embodiment thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5 a perspective view is shown of an otherwise conventional handbag 1 with strap 2 and clasp 3 that allow access to interior compartments. Most visible on the exterior shell of handbag 1 is touch screen display 4 that is either housed in or mounted on exterior shell 5. Touch screen display 4, which is part of Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device 18, is connected to internal wire grid (not shown) by means of wire (10 in FIG. 4) going into interior. Icon 19 represents data displayed on PDA screen 4 that enables user to read messages relayed as well as input data and commands.

Compartment 6 has an opening and closing device that in this illustration is zipper 7. Compartment 6 affords user access to speaker-headset 8 as well as stylus 17 used for input of commands. Speaker-headset 8 is plugged into jack outlet (not shown) on the interior of compartment 6.

FIG. 2 shows cell phone components within interior of handbag 1. Pouch 13 inside main compartment of handbag provides a means of securely holding cell phone 14. Cell phone 14 is connected to circuit (not shown) by means of wire (10 in FIG. 4) through jack 20 within modified compartment 6. Battery pack 15 is securely affixed to interior of handbag and connected to circuit grid (10 in FIG. 4) through jack 20. Motion sensitive generator 21 is connected to battery pack.

FIG. 3 shows user utilizing contents of compartment 6. Antenna 16 transmits conversation between cell phone and speaker-headphone 8. FIG. 3 further shows stylus 17 in user's right hand that she uses to issue commands via icons on screen 4 in order to utilize various features of PDA 18.

In the course of operation of present invention, user hears an audible indication of incoming call from cell phone 14 or PDA 18 and proceeds to look at display screen 4 to see phone number of incoming call displayed. She then opens zipper 7 and removes speaker headphone 8 that receives transmissions via antenna 16. She proceeds by tapping icon 19 on screen 4 to accept call. At the end of call, user taps icon on screen 4 that corresponds to end of call command. To initiate an outgoing call, user will remove speaker-headphone 8 from its compartment and issue a voice command or will access directory in PDA 18 by means of stylus 17.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of two of the several applicable components namely, cell phone 14 connected to PDA 18 and screen 4 by means of circuit grid represented by wire 10 that is layered between outer shell 5 of handbag and inner lining.

FIG. 5 likewise is a view of invention illustrating wire 10 physically connecting compartment 6 to battery pack 15 and generator 21.

As previously described, a major aim of the present invention is to facilitate the use and carrying by women of electronic devices such as cell phones, PDAs, DVD players or any electronic device. Unlike men, who typically fasten such devices to their belt or keep them in shirt or pants pockets and the like, women do not attach to themselves such devices and are more accustomed to carrying all their personal items, including cell phones, within a handbag. However, handbag clutter makes it more cumbersome to quickly grasp and use the telephone, which must be responded to quite quickly when it begins to ring.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a further embodiment of the invention comprises a pocket 30 that may be integrally formed on the outside of the handbag wall 56 and which is configured to carry the electronic device 40, which may be a conventional cell phone, a PDA, a DVD or any similar device that comprises a body with a screen and buttons on a front surface thereof. The pocket 30 preferably has a see-through front wall 38 which is made of a flexible material such as plastic or any other synthetic material, which is pliable enough that the buttons 37 of the electronic device 40 can be operated therethrough and the screen 39 of the device viewed therethrough, without removal.

Rather than having to open the handbag, the device, e.g., the cell phone, can simply be removed from the outer pocket during use. Moreover, rather than fumbling with the contents of the handbag, a woman may simply press the answer button on a cell phone when the cell phone rings and utter the single phrase “just one moment” and then take her time so she can answer the telephone call calmly after removing the cell phone from the pocket 30.

The pocket 30 may have a first sidewall 32, a second sidewall 34 and a bottom wall 36, which together define the rigid sides and bottom of the pocket, which firmly and securely support therein the cell phone 40, without risk of falling out during normal use of the handbag.

As described above, the pocket 30 is an integral part of the handbag itself. Alternatively, the pocket 30 is an externally formed container that is physically attached to any handbag. Several modes of attachment are described below and many more are available. In accordance with an embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the bottom of the pocket has a first layer 46 that is made of thin, ferrous, magnetic material which rests against the outer surface 56 of the handbag. A corresponding magnetic plate 50 is provided within the handbag in juxtaposition to the layer 46, thereby firmly affixing and holding the pocket 30 to the outside wall surface of the handbag. The layer 56 provides insulation. The advantage is that the pocket or device holder could be placed on different locations on the handbag, to suit the desires of a particular user, and used with different handbags.

In addition, and in order to ensure that the pocket does not disattach, a string 42 is connected with the pocket 30 with one end thereof firmly secured to the pocket 30 and another free end looped through the ring 2 a of the handle 2 of the handbag. The other free end has a openable hook 44 that can be removably attached to the holder 30, ensuring that it will not be lost, even if the magnetic force between the pocket 30 and the magnetic plate 50 within the handbag is somehow interrupted or broken.

In accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 8, the bottom layer 46 of the pocket 30 is provided with two or more thin pins 52 that penetrate the wall of the handbag and these pins are secured within by closing caps or clasps or screws 54 or the like.

Turning to FIG. 9, a handbag 1 is illustrated which is provided with a permanently attached cell phone or PDA integral pocket 70 with a transparent front surface, which is designed to hold the electronic device 40. As described previously, the see-through front surface 60 allows operation of the cell phone without its removal from the pocket 70. The intention of this embodiment is to permit permanent (but removable) storage of the cell phone 40 in the pocket 70. To use the device 40, an earphone/speaker piece 62 with a lengthy electrical chord 63, which is attached to the cell phone 40, is located in a further pocket 64. When the phone rings, the answer button thereof is activated and only the tethered earpiece/speaker is pulled out from the upper pocket 64 and the telephone conversation is thus carried on, without having to hold the cell phone. When the conversation concludes, the appropriate button on the electronic device 40 is pressed and only the earpiece/speaker 62 is necessary to be returned to the pocket 64. In this manner, assurance is provided against loss of the electronic device or its inadvertently being left at the counter of a bank or in a store, etc. The second pocket can be provided within the first pocket, and both pockets made to be attachable to the handbag as elsewhere described herein.

In those embodiments described above, where the pocket 30 is not an integral component of the handbag, it is also possible to provide the rear surface of the pocket 30 in a manner whereby it is coated with a tacky material which provides some adhesion to a surface such as a leather or plastic of which handbags are made. This embodiment makes it far easier to remove the pocket/holder and its telephone and install it on any other handbag, with the changes being made as often as several times a day, without any inconvenience.

In one form, the layer 46 may be a flexible, generally rectangular or square sheet, one side of which is treated with a tacky adhesive. This sheet can be removably attached to the rear of the pocket, and replaced if and after the sheet has lost its adherence due to repeated use.

In the preceding text, various embodiments have been described wherein a cell phone or the like is provided within a pocket or device holder. With any of the embodiments, the pocket or device holder may be provided with a power recharging base 9 a (FIG. 5) including an outer ledge 9 b configured to matingly center the cell phone or electronic device on an interface connector 9 c. The base 9 a is connected by electrical wires 10 to a power source or recharging interface in the power source compartment 11 containing the aforementioned battery pack 15 or generator 21 or the interface/charger 9. One or more of these devices may be simultaneously provided and these devices may be interconnected, as indicated by reference numeral 9 d.

In accordance with one embodiment, power may be provided to the cell phone from the battery pack 15. In accordance with another embodiment, an electrical cord 10 a, having a plug 10 b, may be utilized to charge the cell phone. Thus, when at home or at the office, the user would just open the handbag and insert the plug 10 b into a wall outlet, so that the cell phone may be recharged via power flowing from the electrical outlet to the interface 9 and then into the base 9 a and thereafter into the cell phone. Particularly with embodiments where the intention is that the cell phone is always left installed in the pocket 6 (or holder 30, etc.), the phone can be charged overnight without being removed from its location in the handbag.

Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims. 

1. An electronic device holder especially configured to enable attachment thereof to a handbag, the electronic device holder comprising: a rear wall for resting against the handbag; a holding structure located on a front surface of the rear wall which is capable of securely retaining the electronic device fastened to the holder; and a fastening structure which fastens the rear wall of the holder to the handbag.
 2. The electronic device holder of claim 1, wherein the fastening structure comprises a magnetically attractive layer on the rear wall and an associated magnet located on an inside surface of the handbag in juxtaposition to the magnetically attractive layer, to hold the holder fastened to a wall surface of the handbag.
 3. The electronic device holder of claim 1, wherein the fastening structure comprises needle pins that emanate from the rear wall and closing caps located inside the handbag to fasten the rear wall to the handbag.
 4. The electronic device holder of claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a layer of adhering substance that causes the rear wall to be attracted and held to the handbag.
 5. The electronic device holder of claim 1, wherein the holding structure comprises a left, a right and a bottom partial wall and a front, transparent wall which define a chamber in which the electronic device is fittingly and securely held against falling out, regardless of the orientation or jolts applied to the handbag.
 6. The electronic device holder of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a device selected from the device group including: a cell phone, a PDA, a DVD player, and an audio player.
 7. The electronic device holder of claim 1, including a power recharging base incorporated in the holding structure and electrical wires extending within the handbag to a power souce compartment.
 8. The electronic device holder of claim 7, including an electrical cord which can be attached into a household power source to provide power for recharging the electronic device.
 9. A handbag and electronic device, comprising in combination: a handbag with an openable top which exposes an interior chamber in which personal items can be stored, the handbag comprising an outer surface; a first pocket integrally provided at the front surface of the handbag and configured to store the electronic device therein; and a second pocket provided adjacently to the first pocket and integrally formed with the handbag and configured to hold an earpiece and microphone set that can be attached to the ear of a person and including an electrical wire that is connected to the electronic device; wherein the first pocket is provided with a transparent front wall that allows the operation of the electronic device without removal of the electronic device.
 10. The handbag and electronic device of claim 9, wherein the electronic device is a cell phone.
 11. The electronic device holder of claim 9, including a power recharging base incorporated in the first pocket and electrical wires extending within the handbag to a power souce compartment.
 12. The electronic device holder of claim 11, including an electrical cord which can be attached into a household power source to provide power for recharging the electronic device. 